"Senpaku, I am Sakamoto. What brings you here?"

Do you also like mystery novels?

The precision and composure with which he retrieved the book reminded her of the meticulous and decisive detectives in mystery novels.

Sakamoto paused slightly, turned around, and his gaze fell on the copy of "Goodbye, My Love" in her hand. A very faint smile seemed to appear at the corner of his lips.

"Raymond Chandler. One of the founders of hard-boiled mystery. Philip Marlowe, in a corrupt world, adheres to his own principles; that stubbornness and sense of loneliness are very powerful."

Hiyori Shiina's fingers tightened slightly as she held the book.

She didn't expect that the other party not only knew about the book, but could also accurately evaluate its style and the characteristics of the protagonist.

The indifference in her purple eyes faded somewhat, replaced by a gleam of "interest".

"You like Marlowe too?"

Her voice rose slightly, carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

"I admire his stubbornness in sticking to his principles in a dirty world, even if the outcome is often not good."

"Principles are like lighthouses,"

Sakamoto's voice was steady and clear.

"Guiding the way through the fog, even knowing that you will hit the rocks. This stubbornness is perhaps the charm of it."

He paused, his gaze seemingly piercing through the pages of the book.

Like the ending of *The Big Sleep*, Marlowe knew the truth would bring destruction, yet he still chose to speak it. "To say goodbye is to die a little."

Hiyori Shiina's heartbeat quickened slightly.

He could casually quote Chandler's famous saying! And he understood it so profoundly! She maintained her nonchalant indifference on the surface, but a brighter light was shining in the depths of her purple eyes.

In this school filled with all sorts of "elites" but few who truly understand the charm of detective novels, she met for the first time someone who seemed to resonate with her!

"Your insights into detective novels... are quite unique."

"I'm talking softly," Shiina Hiyori said, her fingers unconsciously stroking the cover of the book she was holding.

"It's not just about the plot, but more about the core themes and the characters."

"The story is the skeleton, but the characters and philosophical ideas are the soul."

Sakamoto responded calmly.

A brief silence flowed between the two, but it was no longer awkward; instead, it was filled with a quiet mutual appreciation.

Shiina Hiyori hesitated for a moment, then raised her purple eyes to look directly into Sakamoto's eyes. Her voice remained soft, yet carried a rare clarity:

"My name is Hiyori Shiina. I'm in Class C, Grade 1."

She paused, then added.

"A fan of mystery novels."

Sakamoto nodded slightly, his posture elegant.

"I am Sakamoto. First year, Class A."

"Sakamoto... classmate."

Hiyori Shiina repeated the name, a knowing glint in her purple eyes.

It turned out to be him... that freshman in Class A who caused so much gossip on the first day of school, she had heard of this name before.

Her fingers tightened slightly as she held the book, her longing for a "like-minded companion" ultimately overpowering her outward aloofness.

"that……"

She lowered her head slightly, her silver hair falling down and partially obscuring her cheeks.

"If it's possible... could we... exchange contact information?"

Her voice grew softer and softer, almost inaudible, and a barely perceptible blush rose to the tips of her ears.

"About the novel... perhaps... we could discuss it?"

Sakamoto looked at her slightly reddened ear tips, his gaze behind his black-rimmed glasses remaining calm.

Without the slightest hesitation, he smoothly took his phone out of the inside pocket of his school uniform.

He tapped the screen a few times with his fingertips, quick and precise, and then very naturally turned the phone screen to Shiina Hiyori—a blank contact interface was displayed on the screen, with the cursor blinking in the "Name" field.

"of course can."

His voice was gentle and clear.

"I look forward to exploring the mysteries of the mystery world with Shiina-kun."

Hiyori Shiina was slightly taken aback, but then she realized what was happening.

She quickly took out her phone—typed her name and number rapidly on the screen with her fingertips—and handed it to Sakamoto.

Sakamoto took the phone, tapped the screen a few times, entered his number into Shiina Hiyori's phone, and saved it. The whole process was smooth and natural, without the slightest delay. He handed the phone back to Shiina Hiyori.

"This is my number."

Sakamoto gently waved his phone screen in front of Shiina Hiyori to let her confirm that the number had been saved, then took it back.

Sakamoto nodded slightly, and a very faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth:

You're welcome. Happy reading, Shiina-kun.

After speaking, he bowed slightly again, his movements fluid and natural. Then he turned around and, with steady and silent steps, quickly disappeared into the shadows of the library's tall bookshelves.

Shiina Hiyori stood there, holding the copy of "Goodbye, My Love" that she had lost and then found, her fingertips unconsciously rubbing her phone in her pocket.

The tranquility of the library enveloped her once again, but at this moment, this tranquility seemed to carry a different meaning.

First Year Enrollment: Chapter 014: Sakamoto Not in the Classroom

The time comes in the afternoon.

An unusual tension permeated the air in Class C of the first year.

As soon as the bell rang, the students packed their bags as usual, preparing to leave, but their movements were more cautious and careful, and their eyes kept glancing at the seat by the window in the back row of the classroom.

Long Yuanxiang remained seated, not getting up immediately.

He crossed his arms, his sinister gaze sweeping across the classroom like a lion surveying its territory.

After the inexplicable defeat in the cafeteria at noon and Sakamoto's seemingly calm but insightful advice, his anger and shame were replaced by a more solid determination.

Fists and intimidation might be enough to intimidate the rabble of Class C, but they are far from sufficient to truly forge a force capable of challenging Class A and Sakamoto.

Violence is a means, a backup plan, but it is by no means the only option, much less the optimal solution.

Sakamoto's words, "loose sand can become a fist," were like a thorn in his heart, and they also awakened him.

During lunch break, he had already used his eyes and a few mild threats to give a preliminary "shuffle" over a few troublemakers in the class.

The effect is not bad; at least for now, no one dares to lose their temper in front of him.

But this is only the beginning.

He needs prestige, he needs strategy, and he needs a stronger Class C.

He stood up, ignoring the awe-inspiring or evasive glances he received, and walked straight out of the classroom.

Clear goal – Class A.

He needed to see for himself what Sakamoto was really like in his "territory".

What gives him the right to be so composed? What gives him the right to utter such condescending remarks?

Is it still that affected elegance? Or does it have another face?

Longyuan quickly arrived at the corridor outside Class A classroom.

He leaned against the window, his gaze sharp as a hawk's, scanning the classroom through the bright glass.

The elites of Class A were either organizing their notes or chatting quietly, maintaining perfect order, and an invisible sense of superiority permeated the air.

Long Yuan's lips curled into a disdainful smile as his eyes quickly searched for the figure wearing black-rimmed glasses.

No.

The window seat is empty.

I scanned the front row, the back row, the corners... but couldn't find Sakamoto anywhere.

"Tch, walking so fast?"

Long Yuan frowned and muttered something under his breath.

That guy got away pretty fast.

Somewhat unwillingly, he glanced around again, confirming that Sakamoto was indeed not there, and was about to turn and leave.

"Are you looking for Sakamoto-kun, young man?"

Long Yuan suddenly turned his head.

A slender, silver-haired girl stood a few steps away from him, leaning on a dark wooden cane, her posture serene.

She tilted her head slightly, her gaze beneath her silver hair calmly meeting his sharp eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.

It’s Arisu Sakayanagi.

Long Yuan's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.

Someone from Class A? How did she know?

Sakayanagi seemed to read his mind, lightly tapping the ground with the tip of her cane, her voice still cool and clear:

"In just two days, Sakamoto-kun has become a popular figure on campus. Everything he does at school... is quite remarkable."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across Class A classroom.

"So, if students from other classes are specifically looking around outside Class A, then there's a high chance they're there to see Sakamoto. It's not hard to guess, is it?"

He snorted coldly, suppressing his displeasure at being seen through, and spoke in a stiff tone:

"...Heh, as expected of someone in the same class as Sakamoto, his insight is quite strong."

His tone carried a hint of sarcasm.

"So what? He's not here, I can't just stand here waiting, can I?"

He was too lazy to waste words with this woman from Class A and turned to leave.

"Of course, there's no need to just wait."

The sound rang out again, neither too loud nor too soft, yet it possessed an undeniable penetrating power.

Long Yuan stopped in his tracks and turned back impatiently:

"Anything else?"

Sakayanagi looked directly into Ryuen's eyes, lowering his voice slightly, with a hint of probing.

"Your gaze... isn't the look of a fanboy worshipping an idol. That hostile and conquering look... are you... targeting him?"

Ryuen was shocked! This woman… how did she know?! His eyes instantly turned extremely dangerous as he stared intently at Sakayanagi:

"So what if he is? It's none of your business! You're from Class A, and you want to stand up for him?"

"Stand up for him?"

Sakayanagi chuckled softly.

"No, you misunderstood."

She leaned forward slightly, her voice low, carrying a strange, alluring quality.

"What I mean is, I'm also a little... tempted to target Sakamoto-kun."

Long Yuan was stunned.

He stared in disbelief at the petite, silver-haired girl before him.

From Class A? Sakamoto's classmate? She actually said... she wanted to target Sakamoto?